Downtown
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Three Story Apartment Building With 15 to 20 Apartments Planned On West Elizabeth Street |
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 The owners of a 0.24 acre lot on West Elizabeth Street, between North High Street and North Liberty Street, plan to build a three story apartment building with 15 to 20 apartments. The owners have received approval from the City for the rezoning required for this development to move forward. City staff, planning commission, city council and the developers all seem excited at the prospect of bringing more living opportunities to the downtown area. Interestingly...
I'm just realizing that the site will potentially be transformed from only being used by cars (a parking lot) to a use that does not allow for cars (apartment building with no on-site parking). :-) | |
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376 Apartments In Three Buildings, With Clubhouse, Pool and Parking Deck Proposed For Peach Grove Avenue |
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 Lingerfelt Development, LLC is requesting a special use permit from the City of Harrisonburg to allow for the development of a 376 unit apartment complex on Peach Grove Avenue on a 9.9 acre parcel of land between The Hills (Southview) Apartments and the proposed 460 bedroom student housing complex, Peach Grove Shoppes. This new proposal for 376 apartments would include... [1] A minimum of 30% studio or one bedroom apartments [2] A maximum of 20% of three bedroom apartments [3] No apartments with more than three bedrooms Here's the proposed layout of the development...  The land for this proposed development is currently owned by the James Madison University Real Estate Foundation. Here's the location of the proposed development...  Read up on all of the details of this proposed development in the special use permit application packet here. 12/14/2022 - tabled by Planning Commission
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How Do YOU Think Downtown Harrisonburg Should Look in 2040? |
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 The City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) have launched Harrisonburg Downtown 2040, a community-driven plan for our beloved Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Above is a snapshot from the collaborative map that the community is building showing... Special Places (stars) - important places in Downtown and stories about why these places matter Ideas (light bulbs) - ideas for improving Downtown including places to be change or preserve, things that are missing from Downtown, etc. Problems (cones) - problems or concerns to be fixed View (and contribute to) the collaborative map here. Read more about the Downtown 2040 project here. | |
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How Should The City Improve Parking in Downtown Harrisonburg? |
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 The City wants to know what YOU think about parking in the downtown area. They have developed a series of recommendations from a forum and more than 1000 survey responses. These recommendations include ideas such as:
The City wants to know how much YOU agree with the recommendations they are considering. Take the survey NOW (or before Feb 7, 2020) at the link below... | |
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Will City, County Buy the Denton Building in Downtown Harrisonburg To Expand Courts, Judicial Offices? |
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 Will the City of Harrisonburg and/or Rockingham County be purchasing the Denton Building in downtown Harrisonburg? Maybe? Possibly? Feel free to email me (scott@HarrisonburgHousingToday.com) with any additional information you might have. I've heard about this from a few folks who are plugged in downtown, and there has been some reporting of this possibility in the Daily News Record... "The city and county are looking for more space for courts and judicial offices and have identified the Denton building on Court Square as a possible location." "The Denton building lies on two parcels with three addresses — 50 S. Liberty St., 58 S. Liberty St. and 61 Court Square — with a combined value of nearly $3.9 million, according to the 2019 assessment." "In January, the city and county bought the parking lot and two-story building to the south of the Denton building for $425,000 from CFSMCS LLC, according to Rockingham County real estate records." | |
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Harrisonburg, The City With The Planned Future, Plans Their Future |
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 City Council members and top City administrators and planners invested time in planning a future for the City of Harrisonburg at a three day retreat last weekend, with an eye towards Harrisonburg 20 years from now -- in 2039. That vision includes establishing Harrisonburg as the "capital of the Shenandoah Valley". Extensive conversations took place about education (including the new high school) and a comprehensive housing plan (including affordable housing and homelessness). Read much, much more about the retreat, conversations, outcomes and priorities over at The Citizen... If you care about the future of the City of Harrisonburg, read the article above, and give some thought to how you can be an active part of making the future of Harrisonburg brighter. | |
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New Images of Proposed (Privately Funded) Downtown Park |
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 I'm going to let these images speak for themselves (in a moment) but wanted to provide the update that plans are still progressing for a proposed privately funded park in downtown Harrisonburg. As per the Daily News Record earlier this week.... "The proposed park, with council's approval, would be built on city- owned land west of City Hall on South Main Street, stretching across the grassy area to South Liberty Street. It would include and expand the Harrisonburg Farmers Market's Turner Pavilion and stretch south to include Warren Street and a gravel parking lot." Read the entire Daily News Record article here. Download the higher resolution photos here: Watch a video walk through of the park here. (scroll down) Or, enjoy these photos.... (full disclosure, I am on the board for Build Our Park)            | |
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City Council to Examine Plan to Build Downtown Park |
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 Harrisonburg City Council has agreed to further explore an unsolicited proposal to build a downtown park from Build Our Park, a community-led nonprofit organization committed to facilitating the creation of a public park in downtown Harrisonburg. Full disclosure - I serve on the board of Build Our Park.  This new downtown park would be built on 1.2 acres of City-owned property directly adjacent to the Harrisonburg Farmers Market pavilion and the City Hall Building parking lot, featuring amenities including:
During the next 45 days, City staff will review the proposed project and can receive additional competing proposals for building this downtown park. After 45 days, the City will decide to either proceed with the second review stage or to not proceed further with the proposal. If the City ultimately decides to work with Build Our Park on the project, they will enter into a comprehensive agreement where details will be determined regarding potential bonds, insurance, and terms and conditions. A group of Harrisonburg stakeholders formed in 2013 with the goal of facilitating the creation of a public park in downtown Harrisonburg. Originally known as Plan Our Park, the group rebranded and formed the nonprofit organization Build Our Park. In 2017, in order to balance parking needs and the desire for a community recreation amenity, the City directed Build Our Park to redesign its park concept to fit in the space behind City Hall between the Turner Pavilion and the tree line south of the Pavilion. Local architects who are members of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Design Committee, Adam Steiniger of Eugene Stoltzfus Architects and Randy Seitz of Blue Ridge Architects, volunteered to create the final concept design plan that the PPEA proposes. The Build Our Park Board of Directors has been working with City staff to plan the park's new design and would continue to work with them to plan the park's construction as well as on-going maintenance and operations. During this process, fundraising for the park has been on hold. On April 18, the organization looks forward to restarting its fund- raising effort in conjunction with The Community Foundation's Great Community Give. The Great Community Give is a single day of giving aimed at promoting charitable giving in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Through this initiative, the entire community will be invited to support Build Our Park and other nonprofits that meet needs, enrich lives, and build a community we can all enjoy. As Harrisonburg's downtown continues its reemergence as a dynamic environment in which to live, work, eat and shop, the thoughts of many have turned to the need for more public green space for gathering in the City's core. The downtown park's concept features a multi-use path, expanded pavilion, open space, play area designed to resemble nature, pergolas for shade, and splash fountains. It will incorporate the area adjacent to the Turner Pavilion that currently is used for community programming and events. The park would be designed to be flexible to accommodate a growing farmers market, public events, community gatherings, and wellness. Learn more about this potential future downtown park at BuildOurPark.org. | |
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Do Not Miss Harrisonburg Restaurant Week! |
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 Straight from Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.... Downtown Restaurants are pulling out all of the stops this week! They're serving up fresh, innovative menus and one-of-a-kind restaurant collaborations. Take a look at the menu items, meet the amazing chefs, and circle back to book a future food tour with Rocktown Bites! Learn more about Harrisonburg Restaurant Week and get downtown to enjoy it yourself!. | |
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Make your voice heard in the updated Comprehensive Plan for the City of Harrisonburg |
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 The City of Harrisonburg is in the midst of updating the Comprehensive Plan for the City. As per the City.... The Comprehensive Plan presents a vision of Harrisonburg's future. It identifies steps to move toward that vision by providing information about current conditions, long-term goals and objectives, and recommended implementation strategies. As described in the Code of Virginia, the Comprehensive Plan is general in nature. Harrisonburg's Plan addresses a wide range of issues including but not limited to: land use, housing, education, transportation, recreation, the preservation of historic and natural resources, and economic development. The plan serves as a long-term guide for the community, and it helps City leaders with setting policies and decision-making. So, basically, what do you want the City of Harrisonburg to be in 10 or 20 years? Discussions taking place and decisions being made right now will affect that future, and you have the opportunity to be a part of the conversation! Better yet -- there are several Public Workshops coming up that will allow you to chime in on topics near and dear to your heart.... Education; Arts, Culture, and Historic Resources; and Community Engagement & CollaborationSo, mark your calendars, and get involved in the discussions and decisions to help shape the future our our great City! Also of note.... Lots of Q&A's about the Comprehensive Plan update can be found here. General information about the Comprehensive Plan update can be found here. | |
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Support Downtown Harrisonburg AND Fund Your House Down Payment? |
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 Get this -- you can support Downtown Harrisonburg AND have the opportunity to win funds to use as your down payment on a house! :) Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance has launched FRIENDLY CITY FORTUNE -- a large scale raffle with $250,000 of prizes to be given away on July 4, 2017. Prices include thousands of dollars of cash (including a $3K winner, $5K winner, $10K winner and $30K winner!!) and a 2017 Ford F-150 4x4! Tickets are $100 -- 5000 of them will be sold -- and all raffle proceeds will support the vitality of downtown Harrisonburg through important redevelopment, beautification and community-building initiatives. Learn more about the Friendly City Fortune here, or buy your raffle ticket here. | |
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Ground Breaking for Hotel Madison in Downtown Harrisonburg |
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 The forthcoming hotel and conference center being built on the edge of the JMU campus, held its ceremonial groundbreaking yesterday. The project is due to be complete by March 2018. Read more in today's Daily News Record article, or read on for some highlights....
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Campaign Launches to Build Park in Downtown Harrisonburg |
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 The fundraising campaign for building a park in Downtown Harrisonburg kicked off last evening with an event at Pale Fire Brewing Co. with the exciting announcement that $500,000 has already been raised for the project! The park is estimated to cost $5.5 million to be built, and will be built on 4.2 acres of city-owned land including the municipal parking lot on South Liberty Street, the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market Turner Pavilion and the grassy lawn area next to the parking lot. Construction on the park is expected to start in 2017. View the layout of the park and learn about opportunities to support this effort by visiting BuildOurPark.org. Read today's Daily News Record article here. | |
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Explore More Discovery Museum in downtown Harrisonburg expanding upwards! |
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 Explore More Discovery Museum, in downtown Harrisonburg, is expanding upwards, onto the 2nd and 3rd floors. The future 2nd floor Arts & Innovation area will offer eight new, interactive exhibit galleries! Explore in the tree house,build in the construction zone, fly the airplane, create movies, music and art! The 3rd Floor Community Education Center will provide greatly needed multi-purpose space for educational programs and special events. Two new classrooms and a kitchen facility will offer unique opportunities to expand enrichment offerings. Construction is in progress! Read more about the expansion here and consider making a donation to support this effort. | |
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Check out the Strawberry Festival in Downtown Harrisonburg, tomorrow (Sat) from 11AM - 5PM |
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 Tomorrow! Saturday, May 20th -- downtown Harrisonburg! Check out the first Harrisonburg Strawberry Festival at City Hall tomorrow. The day will include activities and games for all ages, including a bouncy house, dunk tank, food trucks, live music and STRAWBERRIES! Dessert ticket vouchers will be for sale for $5. Each is good for your choice of: strawberry shortcake, strawberry sundae, or chocolate covered strawberries. This event is being put on by the area Rotary Clubs and proceeds from the event will be donated to the Build Our Park and Albert Long Park projects in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. | |
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Revitalization of Downtown Harrisonburg shows that Government, Market Can Unite For Good |
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 An excellent Open Forum yesterday in the Daily News Record.....worth reading, maybe twice.... Gov't, Market Can Unite For Good Posted: March 8, 2016 By Andy Perrine No holds are barred in the pitched battle for presidential nominations in the party primaries. Every channel of media is filled with candidates on both sides of the aisle pointing out how government has failed, and promising that unless they are elected, America will fail. Amidst such a negative barrage, it is wise and refreshing to remind ourselves that government can be a positive force. We need look no further than home. The successful and ongoing revitalization of Harrisonburg's urban center demonstrates clearly how government, with the involvement of private sector forces and engaged citizens, can play an enormously positive role in improving our American quality of life. You may have seen that Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance recently celebrated the blossoming of economic activity downtown by welcoming a new leader and celebrating the accomplishments of its founding director ("Bumbaugh Honored As ‘Downtown Hero,'" Feb. 23). Former City Council members who voted 13 years ago to create HDR attended this celebration for Eddie Bumbaugh. At the time of the historic vote, the City Councils Republicans and Democrats agreed that funding the recovery of our local identity and bringing economic growth to a blighted and forgotten downtown district was a good idea. They knew risk was involved. Yet, ultimately their wisdom and bipartisan agreement to improve our city is without doubt a convincing testament to how government can be a positive force. Once a place to avoid, downtown was filled with crumbling sidewalks, worn buildings, vacant storefronts and faded pride. When council approved funding for HDR, many residents believed it was a mistake, that downtown was a lost cause. Today, it is Harrisonburg's heart. For the last six years, the Daily News-Record's Annual Reader's Survey proclaimed downtown the best use of taxpayer money. For five years, the same survey named downtown the best thing about Harrisonburg. Since HDR began operating in 2003, 250 historic preservation projects have been completed. The number of downtown dwellings has grown from 150 units to 550. Twelve restaurants were downtown in 2004. Today there are 35. Private investment in downtown through the last 13 years totals $66 million. And, downtown Harrisonburg received the National Main Street Center's "Great American Main Street" award in 2014 — recognizing our community as a model for others throughout the U.S. to follow. Of course, the city's decision to fund HDR is not solely responsible for downtown's success. And this is the key point. That success is shared among the developers who, working in the free market, purchase and refurbish decaying buildings; restaurateurs, artists and retailers who open businesses; volunteers who donate precious time to planning committees and events; and donors who contributed their hard-earned money. When council voted to fund HDR, our community got the kick-start it needed to get the public and private sectors working together. Such positive action can happen at any level of government — municipal, state and federal. Government, citizens and the free market working together with a clear set of objectives can accomplish great things. This has always been true, and it is a distinctly American mode for advancing society and improving everyone's standard of living. It's the core of how America became history's greatest nation. As you watch the increasingly negative depictions of government during this especially distressing presidential campaign season, remember, the rhetoric is nonsense. Our system of government can work very well if we the people stay positive and involved. Andy Perrine is president of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. | |
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Short Term Rentals in Downtown Harrisonburg (think AirBNB) Under Construction at Market and Mason |
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 That building under construction on the corner of Market and Mason (red star above) -- have you been wondering what it will be? Read more in this report from WHSV yesterday.... HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) -- A new building on corner of Mason and East Market streets near Urban Exchange will feature a restaurant, possibly a wine bar and some apartments; and those apartments won't be typical rentals. | |
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New rates at coworking space in downtown Harrisonburg |
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 If you are looking for a non-traditional office space from which to launch your next entrepreneurial venture -- or if you are a designer, consultant, free-lancer or telecommuter -- you ought to check out bluehub coworking in downtown Harrisonburg. Located across West Bruce Street from the Ice House (and Black Sheep Coffee, Pure Eats and Pale Fire Brewery) this coworking space offers affordable access to shared office space, conference rooms, and a great group of coworkers. While I accomplish much of my work from my real estate office, I also have an office space at bluehub where I work on real estate as well as TakeThemAMeal.com. So -- make it a point to check out bluehub this week -- I'd be happy to give you a tour. | |
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Join me for breakfast on Friday |
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 This Friday, 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM, you too can enjoy this delicious menu....
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From a Lost Cause to a Revitalization Success |
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 If you spend much time in downtown Harrisonburg, you've no doubt noticed that in recent years it's experienced a rebirth. Businesses are opening and thriving, events are drawing ever greater crowds, and the streets are full of people. How did this come about? TODAY, from 3:00—5:00, at the Capital Ale House in Harrisonburg, all are welcome to come and hear how Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) has transformed the city's downtown from so-called lost cause to national prominence. We'll hear about it from Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and one of the primary architects of its transformation. Eddie's love for Harrisonburg's downtown has deep roots, starting in his childhood when his father ran a downtown business. He'll walk us through the branding insights and marketing strategies that are driving the new downtown. WHERE: Capital Ale House, 41 Court Square, Harrisonburg. WHEN: Tuesday, October 13, 2015, 3:00 - 5:00 pm. The program is from 3:30 to 4:30, with time for networking before and after. COST: $10 for non-members, $5 for AMA members and students. This gets you one free beer ticket! HOW: Buy your ticket at the door, or pre-register online here! | |
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Scott Rogers
Funkhouser Real
Estate Group
540-578-0102
scott@funkhousergroup.com
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